Inaugural Clean Energy for EU Islands Forum

The inaugural Clean Energy for EU Islands forum will take place on 22 September in Chania, Crete. It will mark the launch of the Clean Energy for All European Islands Initiative. This aims to help the EU's islands reduce their high energy costs, reinforce energy security, boost renewables uptake, and use more innovative energy technologies.

The event will include the high-level participation of Alexis Tsipras, Prime Minister of Greece, and Miguel Arias Cañete, European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy.

The forum will feature two roundtable discussions showcasing current best practices and new projects in the areas of renewables, research and innovation, and energy efficiency. Speakers will include the Prime Minister of Greece, Alexis Tsipras, the European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete, and the European Commission's Director-General for Energy, Dominique Ristori. There will also be sessions on decarbonising the EU's islands and finance issues related to this.

This inaugural Forum is an important deliverable from the 'Clean Energy for All Europeans' package and the Political Declaration on Clean Energy for EU Islands signed in Valletta by the European Commission together with 14 Member States on 18 May 2017. The purpose of the Forum is the launch of the Clean Energy for All European Islands Initiative, which aims to accelerate the clean energy transition on islands, ensuring secure and cheap energy to their citizens, and create local jobs.

The Forum will also provide a first opportunity for EU islands and existing EU initiatives to share best practices and showcase innovative projects in the areas of renewables, research and innovation, and energy efficiency.